Board:
Suggestions for possible inclusion on the agenda for the FMLA Annual
Meeting.
(With a lot of luck, I’ll be there; but not making any promises. ~ Roger)
Since the Annual Meeting is still about two months off, I would like to
offer a few thoughts to be given attention at that meeting. I am proposing
them below as Motions, with Background, because then the intent, and the
outcomes, can be so much clearer.
Two topics:
1. Mailbox and Newspaper Box Maintenance ~ Motion 1
2. Snow and Ice Removal ~ Motions 2, 3, and/or 4
Motion 1:
Move that the FMLA take over full financial responsibility for upkeep
and repairs of the mailbox and newspaper box stations, and further, that the
FMLA contract with a reputable lock-and-key business to do this work
faithfully, and further, that the FMLA budget funds annually for this
purpose.
Discussion 1:
Back in the late 1990s, Roger and Justin sought to replace the ugly “War
Zone” at the bottom of the mountain with attractive and secure mailbox and
newspaper box stations. John, Turk, Bill, and Roger did most of the manual
labor on it. The FMLA paid for most of the structure and footings.
Meanwhile, Roger went to the US Post Office and to the Roanoke Times and
arranged for the “permanent loan” of 64 mailboxes, 64 newspaper boxes, and 4
parcel boxes. At that time, he promised, without any prior authorization,
that the FMLA would erect a sturdy, protective structure and would maintain
the boxes in good working order. The FMLA has never actually assumed that
responsibility (as far as Roger is aware.) As the condition of some boxes,
especially doors, slowly but surely gets worse, it would be highly desirable
to avoid a repeat of the previous disaster area.
Motion 2A:
Move that the FMLA create a formalized plan for snow and ice removal,
especially in light of John’s transition into “retirement” from any
responsibility for wintertime road duties, and further, that the FMLA put
Turk on retainer, and further, that arrangements be made to take care of
snow removal in the event of Turk’s absence due to vacations or illness.
and
Motion 2B:
Move that the FMLA appropriate funds to buy Turk a high quality blade
and a high quality gravel spreader for his tractor, as determined by Turk.
and
Motion 2C:
Move that the FMLA appropriate funds to buy materials to construct an
elevated platform to enable fast, efficient, gravity-feed loading into the
gravel spreader’s hopper.
Discussion 2:
As John transitions into wintertime “retirement,” it will become highly
desirable to outfit Turk’s tractor with additional capabilities. Ease of
loading would be a big plus.
and/or
Motion 3:
Move that the FMLA establish a new office called Quartermaster, and
further, that the FMLA appropriate funds for the Quartermaster to purchase
100 high quality snow shovels and 50 high quality ice removal tools, and
further, that the Road Chairman divide the roadways into 50 more-or-less
equal lengths, and further that each household be assigned a portion of the
roadways to be its exclusive responsibility, and further, that neat little
signs be placed at the boundaries of each zone, with wording something like
this:
Road Responsibility
ß O’Dell Sheppard à
Discussion 3:
There’s nothing wrong with “Manual Labor,” especially when the road
conditions make it difficult to reach parts of the mountain by vehicle.
This takes literally the phrase on the initial Declaration, Covenants, and
Conditions, that “Maintenance of the roads is the responsibility of the
lotowners they serve.”
The same designations could be used during the remainder of the year to
allocate responsibility for clearing the drainage ditches of leaves and
branches.
[Or, instead of lowering dues, hire the needed “Manual Labor” to do this
for everybody.]
and/or
Motion 4:
Move that the FMLA commit to the use of chemicals (calcium chloride
brine and ice melt) on the roads as required, and further that the FMLA
appropriate the necessary funds for this purpose.
Discussion 3:
Highway departments use these chemicals with great success. Damage to
the roads, flora and fauna, and wells is likely to be negligible. It is
more important to protect the road users than to protect the roads. If the
roads are not usable and safe, than it is a disservice to the dues-payers
who paid dues in order to have good and safe roads to use.
Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 06:46AM